Make the perfect Manhattan

Popular history says this three-part cocktail was first made in the Manhattan Club in the 1870s. We're not inclined to argue with that, but we can say it's a simple and sophisticated whiskey cocktail.

Make the Manhattan:

Glass: Martini

Ingredients:

  • 35ml bourbon or rye whiskey (here we use Bulleit Rye)
  • 15ml Sweet red vermouth
  • 2-3 dashes of angostura bitters

Garnish: Maraschino cherry

Method: Fill a mixing glass (that is, the bottom half of the shaker) with ice and add the whiskey, vermouth and Angostura. Stir to combine the ingredients and strain into the glass and add the cherry. The classic recipe calls for rye whisky which gives a drier, Martini-style drink, while bourbon will produce a sweeter take.

Degree of difficulty: Beginner

OR YOU COULD TRY:

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Tennessee Shandy

Glass: Half-pint

Ingredients:

  • 25ml Jack Daniel’s
  • 10ml Cointreau
  • 20ml Lemon Juice
  • 15ml Gomme syrup
  • Two dashes of Angostura bitters
  • Two dashes of absinthe (optional) draught lager

Method: This JD creation taps into the growing popularity of beer cocktails. Shake all the ingredients apart from the lager and strain into the glass. Top with house lager from the tap.

Degree of difficulty: Intermediate

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Bourbon Smash

Glass: Highball

Ingredients:

  • 50ml Four Roses Yellow Label bourbon
  • 75ml cranberry juice
  • 2ml gomme
  • Three dashes of orange bitters
  • 10 fresh raspberries
  • Four mint leaves

Garnish: Lemon, mint, raspberries and sugar dust.

Method: Muddle the raspberries in the base of a shaker. Add the remaining ingredients, shake and strain into a glass containing cubed ice.

Degree of difficulty: Advanced